Edwin James Prater

Edwin (Dee Dee) James Prater the fourth child born to the union of Elwood Prater, Sr., and Ester Mae (Vincent) Prater, both who transitioned prior to him; as well as three brothers, Elwood Prater, Jr., Claude Ray Prater and Keith Austin Prater.

Though Dee Dee did not attend church, he shared with his children and siblings that he loved God and knew that Jesus died on the cross and rose again so that we may have eternal life. Prior to moving to San Francisco, California, he was a member of Mount Zion Baptist Church and baptized by Pastor R. L. White at a young age.

Dee Dee received his education in the Calcasieu School Parish in Louisiana and the San Francisco School District in CA. In 1988, he received an Accounting degree from Heald Business College in San Francisco, CA. While attending Woodrow Wilson school he met Gail Martin and from that relationship, one child was born. He was married to Gloria Prater and from that, union three children were born. Prior to moving back to Mossville, he worked for many years as a ship fitter in San Francisco, California. He received an Exceptional Accomplishment Certificate for his outstanding work accomplishments at the San Francisco shipyard in 1973. One of his passions while living in San Francisco was singing in a group called The Young Lovers; they thought they were the Temptations. They had the Temptations moves on point. He loved carpentry work where he provided service to many in Mossville, Westlake, Lake Charles and other areas. Dee Dee’s favorite things to watch on TV were the Golden Girls, Wrestling and Serena Williams playing tennis. He also had a passion for working 1,000-piece puzzles and word find puzzles (where he used a ruler because the lines had to be straight).

To cherish his memories Dee Dee was blessed with four beautiful children to carry on his memories Katesha Prater of Decatur, Georgia; Scheria (Donald) Smith of American Canyon, CA; Latrice (Raymond) Watson of Eureka, CA, Traveon Prater of San Leandro, CA and his longtime companion Shirley Green of Lake Charles, LA. Also cherishing his memories are seven grandchildren, Anaya Grace Burkes; Kamera, Kendrae & Kamaya Smith; Ayana, Amaya & Alivia Watson; one great grandson Alexander Aquino. Six siblings, Mittie Grace White, Concord, CA; Patricia (Herbert) Rubit of Lake Charles; Peggy Cotlong of San Francisco, CA; Mary (Ronald) Williams of American Canyon, CA; Donald (Lillian) Prater of Roseville, CA; Phillip (Katrina) Prater of Pittsburg, CA., a host of family and friends.